I THINK It's about...forgiveness (at work)

Post by Michael Palanski 
​Photo by Redd Angelo on Unsplash

As a recent seminary graduate entering a PhD program in business, I was shocked - shocked! - to discover that forgiveness in the workplace was a topic of interest to organizational researchers.  As one might expect, forgiveness was a common topic among theology scholars.  But forgiveness was a relatively new topic in the competitive arena of business.  We now know that forgiveness is important anytime we are focusing on human relationships - which, of course, includes business.
Here’s what we know about forgiveness in the workplace:

• It involves two important aspects: a release of negative emotions and a decision to forgo revenge or other harmful activities against another party who has caused harm
• It has many benefits, including:
  1. Health benefits, including lower stress
  2. Improved team and organizational functioning
  3. Increased trust and credibility
• It is related to, but separate from, reconciliation. In other words, one might decide to forgive another person, but not seek to continue in the relationship (or, in the case of a workplace relationship, keep the relationship to a minimal-interaction, transactional relationship).
• Organizational context matters. Forgiveness is much more likely to take place in an organizational culture that values and practices it.
• Is not a one-and-done event.  Forgiveness is sometimes like peeling an onion. As each layer is removed, new aspects of the the offense(s) may be revealed and in need of forgiveness
• Is critical for leaders.  Leaders are often faced with insults, undermining, and outright attacks. Forgiveness becomes a powerful tool for dealing with these actions.
• Perhaps most importantly, forgiveness is not easy, or natural.  It is not ignoring or minimizing an offense. To the contrary, it is acknowledging the full impact of an offense, and refusing to retaliate. That’s a tall order, but one that growing evidence suggests is critical.
  
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